Fifteen million dollars rides on whoever Staunton hires to replace Economic Development

Director Bill

Hamilton, who

retires next month.

That’s how much the city paid for what is now known as Staunton Crossing, prime commercial land at Western State Hospital near I-81. The deal, which we still consider wise, was made in 2008. The economy has since tanked and the city has been unable to find the right developers for it.

Hamilton has many feathers in the economic development hat he’s worn since 1988: Blackfriars Playhouse, Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center, Green Hills Industry and Technology Center, the Villages at Staunton and a lovely downtown.

But the city also lost out on important retail in that time and cannot afford to fall further behind. Staunton needs new, big success.

Amanda Glover, Hamilton’s former longtime award-winning assistant, has been heading Augusta County’s economic development almost a year. Staunton’s current assistant director of economic development, Courtland Robinson, has been on the job just since March.

City leaders have an important hire ahead. May they make it well. Fifteen million dollars and the economic success of Staunton for decades to come ride on it. No pressure.